By Paul Macrie, Sports Talk Philly staff writer 
The main topic leading up to Sunday's season opener for the Eagles against the Browns is rookie quarterback Carson Wentz, and what to expect for him in his first career NFL start.
There is no question that Wentz isn't ready to take the reigns as the starting quarterback after playing just 36 preseason snaps — all taking place in the first week against the Buccaneers. But the trade of Sam Bradford last weekend expedited the starting timetable for Wentz, and the plan of action has quickly changed.
Wentz's transition to the NFL game will be much smoother if the Eagles rushing attack can improve from last year's disappointment. The offensive line will need to keep him upright as well, but right tackle Lane Johnson has not been suspended as of yet so that concern isn't valid, at least for the moment.
In 2015, the Eagles ranked 14th in yards per game (108.9), a very underwhelming stat considering Chip Kelly's potent rushing attacks in his first two years as head coach. With Doug Pederson taking over the reigns as the head coach, he actually has a pedigree of overseeing great rushing attacks in Kansas City during his tenure there as offensive coordinator.
Last year, even without Jamaal Charles for the majority of the season, the Chiefs ranked six in the NFL with 127.8 rushing yards per game. In the other two seasons as the offensive coordinator under Andy Reid, the team ranked 10th in rushing.
If anyone is to believe that those rushing numbers in Kansas City can translate to Philadelphia in 2016, then the potential is there for the run game to help Wentz in his development, which will be well documented. The personnel is different between the two teams, so it cannot be assumed that things will be the same.
An encouraging fact that might help Pederson build more credibility is that the Chiefs improved the rushing game without Charles for the last 12 games of 2015. Spencer Ware, Charcandrick West and Knile Davis all contributed to assume the large vacancy left behind by the highly talented Charles.
Ryan Mathews will enter the season as the Eagles feature back. Mathews is a former first-round pick of the San Diego Chargers, but injuries have defined his career despite his apparent talent. He has only played one full season in his NFL career, but is coming off a season where he averaged a career high 5.1 yards per carry, albeit on a limited 106 carries.
Can Mathews be the team's workhorse in the backfield? It is possible, but smaller, explosive backs Darren Sproles and Kenjon Barner can be change-of-pace type of guys that should take some pressure off of Mathews.
In order for the Eagles offense to be successful this season, the run game will need to be established early and often. With the lack of true elite weapons at the wide receiver position, the team will need to lean on the running game more.
Pederson has a background of solid rushing attacks in Kansas City, and learned from Reid to utilize a roster's strength to an advantage. The Chiefs didn't have a true No. 1 receiving option until they signed Jeremy Maclin last year, and the Eagles don't have upper-echelon talent at the position right now.
Pederson will have significant input on offensive game planning week-to-week with offensive coordinator Frank Reich and the other offensive coaches. As long as the offensive line holds up as is right now, which hasn't been the case the last two seasons, the running game can be a strength of the team, led by Mathews.
Mathews will need to play all 16 games this year. If he is able to do so for a rare time in his career and assume the rushing load, Wentz's development should head in the right direction. It will be extremely difficult to lean on Wentz to throw the ball more than 25 times a game, especially early on in the season. If the running game can average 30-35 attempts a game, or even slightly more on occasion, that will be the best case scenario.
The game plan for this season on offense shouldn't be drastically different pre-Bradford trade to now. The offense's success was and will continue to hinge on the rushing attack. Now, with Wentz under center, it should only be further emphasized. Mathews, along with a dose of Sproles and Barner, will heavily dictate how successful Wentz will be in 2016.
Many can make the argument the offensive line is just as important or more vital to Wentz's development, but at this moment the offensive line should be adequate enough to keep the young quarterback upright.
